WHEREAS, the American Library Association has continuously supported the principle of the freedom of information and the principle of the public’s right to know as embodied in the Freedom of Information (FOIA) Act; and

WHEREAS, Defense Intelligence Agency documents released under the FOIA have increased military transparency and accountability around the world, and have been invaluable for the human rights investigations such as the United Nations Truth Commission in Guatemala; and

WHEREAS, neither of these proposed FOIA exemptions has been publicly examined through congressional hearings, and because both would radically weaken the FOIA; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association urge the Department of Defense and the Clinton administration to withdraw their requests for Freedom of Information Act exemptions covering Defense Intelligence Agency "operational files" and foreign government information provided to the Defense Department, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association urge the Congress to eliminate these two proposed Freedom of Information Act exemptions from the defense authorization bill.